Using AI to Amplify the Personal Side of Fundraising

I know AI brings up a mix of excitement and anxiety . There's the thrill of what's possible , but also the fear that it might change the way we connect with our donors , the way that we build relationships and even the way that we do our jobs and I get it .

I've been thinking about this a lot lately as I put the finishing touches on my conference session for AFP , icon , in Seattle this April . I'll be speaking on the last day of the conference and my session is called Ready Set Ethical AI Preparing your Organization for AI and Fundraising . If you're attending Icon , I'd love to see you there .

Attending icon , I'd love to see you there . It's going to be a conversation about how to use AI in ways that strengthen , not replace , the relationships that make fundraising so powerful . But if you're not sure about AI yet , or maybe even a little skeptical , then this episode is for you .

Today , we're going to unpack the fear surrounding AI in fundraising , talk about why those fears are valid and then shift our perspective on how tools like ChatGPT can actually help you become a stronger , more effective fundraiser . Ai isn't here to take our jobs .

It's here to help us work smarter , refine our strategies and free up more time for the deep human connections that matter most . So let's talk fundraising connections that matter most . So let's talk fundraising . Before we dive into the fears and concerns around AI , let's take a step back and look at why this conversation is happening right now .

Ai isn't just some futuristic concept . It's already here and it's evolving at really an unbelievable pace . The AI tools we have today are miles ahead of what was possible just a year ago , and they're only going to get better . We're reaching a point where AI isn't just an option for fundraisers .

It's setting a new standard for what it means to be a professional in the field the professional in any field , and that's not just my opinion . Nathan Chappell and Scott Rosenkranz , who host the Fundraising AI podcast , put it kind of bluntly Fundraisers who use AI will replace fundraisers who don't .

Now , that quote might sound a little intense , but let's be clear about it it's not about AI replacing people . It's about fundraisers who embrace AI gaining a huge advantage over those who don't embrace AI , gaining a huge advantage over those who don't . It's like the shift from handwritten ledgers to databases , or from mass mailings to personalized digital campaigns .

Ai is simply the next evolution in how we work , and the fundraisers who learn to use it well are going to be the ones who thrive . Now let's talk about the elephant in the room , the fear around AI and fundraising . Because , let's be real , if you've been feeling uneasy about all of this , you're not alone . There are some big concerns out there .

People worry that AI-generated writing will feel robotic and inauthentic , that it'll strip away the personal connection we work so hard to build with our donors . Fundraising is all about relationships , so if AI starts drafting donor emails or writing thank you letters , does that make our communication feel less human ? Then there's the job security question .

If AI can write appeals , analyze donor data and even suggest fundraising strategies , does that mean fewer fundraisers are going to be needed ? Will AI start replacing people are going to be needed ? Will AI start replacing people ? These are real concerns and I want to take a moment to validate them , because this episode isn't about dismissing those fears .

It's about understanding them . Technology always brings change , and change is hard . It's normal to feel some discomfort when we're standing at the edge of something new , but here's the key AI isn't here to take away what makes fundraising special . It's here to help us do what we do best even better .

So instead of asking will AI replace fundraisers , maybe the better question is how can fundraisers use AI to strengthen relationships , work smarter and have an even greater impact ? Here's the shift in perspective that I want you to consider . Ai isn't here to replace us . It's here to support us . It's a tool , not a threat .

Think about all of the repetitive tasks that eat up our time as fundraisers . We're writing the same types of emails over and over again , sorting through donor data , trying to come up with the perfect way to phrase something when we're staring at a blank page .

Ai can take those tasks off of our plate so that we can focus on what truly matters Building relationships , having deeper conversations with donors and crafting strategies that drive real impact . If anything , ai has the potential to bring more humanity into our world . And why is that ?

Because when we are not bogged down by the small , time-consuming tasks , we have more time for personal connections . Imagine being able to spend more time calling donors just to check in , not because we're rushing to hit a fundraising goal , but because we genuinely want to know how they're doing . Ai helps make that possible .

So , instead of seeing AI as something that replaces the human touch , let's start seeing it as our superstar sidekicks . It's like having an assistant who can brainstorm with us , draft ideas and give us a starting point so that we can then bring in our expertise , our passion and our unique voices . Then bring in our expertise , our passion and our unique voices .

The truth is , ai is really only as good as the person using it . It's a tool that enhances our skills , but it doesn't replace them . We are still the strategists . We are still the relationship builders , the storytellers . Ai just helps us do these things faster , smarter and , ultimately , with a bigger impact .

Helps us do these things faster , smarter and , ultimately , with a bigger impact . And all right . Now that we've kind of reframed AI as the superstar sidekick , let's talk about how to actually start using it in a way that feels comfortable , ethical and , most importantly , effective . The key here start small .

You don't have to overhaul your entire fundraising strategy overnight . Instead , think of AI as a tool you can gradually integrate into your workflow . Try using it for simple , low-stakes tasks , like brainstorming subject lines for an email campaign and see if open rates perform better .

Try drafting a first pass of a donor acknowledgement letter or summarizing donor data to spot trends . This isn't about replacing your voice . It's about giving you a head start so you can focus on refining and personalizing the message . And that brings me to a critical point Strategic oversight . You are in the driver's seat .

Ai can generate ideas , but you bring the expertise , the emotion and the human connection that makes fundraising powerful . If you just copy and paste AI-generated text without reviewing it , you will lose the authenticity that makes donor relationships meaningful . That makes donor relationships meaningful .

But if you use AI as a thought partner , guiding it with strong prompts and then adding your personal touch , you can create communications that feel both efficient and deeply genuine . And let's talk about ethics . Ai tools are powerful , but they aren't magic . They only know what they've been trained on and they don't understand context , the way that we do .

That means we have to be careful , especially when it comes to our donor data . Before you feed any information into an AI tool , ask yourself is this information public or sensitive . Never input private donor details into an AI system unless you're absolutely sure it's secure . Would I be comfortable explaining this to a donor ? Transparency matters .

If AI is helping craft your messaging , own that . Let it be an enhancement , not a hidden shortcut . At the end of the day , ai isn't here to replace thoughtfulness . It's here to give you more space for thoughtfulness .

The more you experiment , the better you'll understand what AI does well , where it needs your expertise and how you can use it to become an even stronger fundraiser . I think it takes really about 20 hours of dedicated time playing with an AI tool to really understand it .

Now let's fast forward a bit and imagine what's possible when we fundraisers embrace AI as our superstar sidekicks .

Picture this Instead of spending hours drafting the same types of emails , you use AI to generate a strong first draft , giving you more time to pick up the phone and have real conversations with donors , instead of manually combing through spreadsheets to figure out who to reach out to .

Ai quickly analyzes your donor data and helps you identify the people most likely to be inspired by your next campaign . Instead of struggling to find the right words , ai helps you craft personalized messages that make each donor feel seen and valued . This isn't about losing human connection . It's about creating more of it .

Ai gives you the space to be more thoughtful , to be more strategic

and to be more present with your donors . It helps you tell better stories , craft deeper narratives and build relationships that are even more meaningful , because , at the end of the day , fundraising has never been about the transactions . It's about the connections , and when used well , ai doesn't take the humanity out of fundraising . It elevates it .

So here's my challenge for you this week Try one small thing with AI . Maybe you use ChatGPT to draft a first-pass thank-you email , brainstorm , social media captions , or maybe you're summarizing a long report . Just dip your toe in and see what it can do . The goal is not perfection , it's exploration . And remember , you're not doing this alone .

We are all figuring out how AI fits into fundraising , and the best way to learn is together . There are so many great resources out there to help you get started . And if you want to dive deeper , I'd love for you to join me at AFP Icon in Seattle this April .

On the last day of the conference , I'll be leading a session called Ready Set Ethical AI preparing your organization for AI in fundraising . We'll go beyond the buzzwords and talk about how to integrate AI in a way that aligns with your mission , your values and , most importantly , your donors . If you're going to Icon , don't miss it .

And at the end of the day , ai isn't here to take over fundraising . It's here to help us do what we do best build relationships , tell powerful stories and make a real impact . And the fundraisers who lean in , who embrace these tools with curiosity and strategy , they're going to be the ones who thrive .

Thanks for spending this time with me today on let's Talk Fundraising . I can't wait to hear how you're starting to use AI to elevate your work . Let's keep moving forward together .